NAMM 2018: Martin Guitar New Products at Winter NAMM 2018

Martin Debuted Three New Authentic Series Models, a New FSC®-Certified Acoustic-Electric Model, and Several Limited Edition Models

C.F. Martin & Co.® (Martin Guitar) introduced a 00-17 Authentic 1931 model, along with a D-18 Authentic 1939 Authentic Aged model, and a D-45S Authentic 1936 Aged model. Also, they debuted the D-42 Purple Martin and the D-45 Fire & Ice. All of these models are crafted with Martin’s traditional dovetail neck joint and hide glue. Additionally, Martin offered its annual show special, the DSS-2018, and a new FSC®-certified acoustic-electric model, the OME Cherry. Whether you’re a collector, a vintage enthusiast, or an environmentally conscious shopper, there is something for everyone in Martin’s 2018 lineup.

Further details on all of the new Martin Guitar models featured at 2018 Winter NAMM are below and at www.martinguitar.com/new.

AUTHENTIC SERIES

00-17 Authentic 1931

Meticulously reproduced with hide glue construction, dovetail neck joint, a genuine mahogany VTS (Vintage Tone System) top and genuine mahogany back and sides. Featuring a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge with an Authentic 1931 neck shape and heel, this 00-12 fret classic will appeal to players of all musical styles who love the vintage look and sound of mahogany. Remaining true to its origins as a Depression Era instrument, the 00-17 Authentic 1931 features authentic scalloped X-bracing, a Vintage Gloss finish, and historically accurate appointments, such as Golden Age Relic Nickel Side Mount tuners.

D-18 Authentic 1939 Aged

A new guitar that looks and sounds like it’s been played for 80 years, the Aged version of the acclaimed D-18 Authentic 1939 includes all of the goodness that comes with Martin’s Authentic Series instruments, like hide glue construction and hand-scalloped X-bracing—plus the Vintage Tone System (VTS) that ages the wood to replicate the sound of a vintage Martin. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve now taken this amazing model and methodically, painstakingly distressed it, inside and out, in all the right places. The result is a tactile, visual, and auditory experience that will transport you all the way back to the 1930s. And we know you’re going to like it there. Stock is limited.

D-45S Authentic 1936 Aged

The D-45S Authentic 1936 Aged is based on an extremely rare large body D-45 that was once displayed in the Martin museum. It features Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a pre-aged Adirondack spruce top, and period-correct Style 45 appointments, including gold tuners with hand-engraved butterbean knobs. A newly constructed masterpiece that looks and sounds like it’s been played for 80 years, the D-45S Authentic 1936 Aged includes all of the goodness instilled within Martin’s Authentic Series, like hide glue construction and hand-scalloped X-bracing. It also boasts the Vintage Tone System (VTS) that ages the wood to replicate the sound of a highly sought-after vintage Martin, both in tone and appearance.

FSC CERTIFIED

OME Cherry

Crafted entirely from FSC®-certified woods, including a Sitka spruce top, cherry back and sides, a mahogany high performance neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and an African blackwood headplate, the OME Cherry is Martin’s newest FSC guitar. The model includes gold open gear tuners and arrives stage ready with Fishman® Matrix VT Enhance™ electronics so you can rock out and sound as good plugged in as you do unplugged. As pioneers in sustainable guitar building, Martin proudly partners with the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) to bring you a line of great sounding, sustainable wood guitars. When you play this comfortable and classy orchestra model, you can be sure that Mother Earth will be cheering you on!

LIMITED EDITION

D-42 Purple Martin

The D-42 Purple Martin is the third in the Purple Martin series and gets an upgrade from 41 to 42 Style appointments. The name “Purple Martin” is inspired by a native bird from Pennsylvania of the same name. Known for being social, the Purple Martin is a fitting choice for this instrument, and you’ll know why when you hear it sing! In addition to the bird inlay on the fingerboard and pickguard, the guitar also features the Pennsylvania state flower, the mountain laurel, by its side. The top is made from heavy bearclaw Engelmann spruce, and the back and sides are made from figured plum katalox. Other unique appointments on this limited edition model are Schaller Gold GrandTune® open gear tuners and bone colored Liquidmetal® bridge pins. The model is limited to just 50 guitars, each with a label signed by Chris Martin.

SPECIAL EDITIONS

D-45 Fire & Ice

This Golden Era Style D-45 is the newest collaboration with renowned inlay artist Harvey Leach. This one-of-a-kind model is adorned with original artwork that symbolizes opposite forces, in the form of a phoenix and a dragon, coming together in battle. The inlay incorporates a technique developed by Leach called “Smoke & Mirrors,” and it is used on this model to portray the dragon being neutralized in ice. The model also features an Engelmann spruce top with heavy bearclaw, Madagascar rosewood back and sides, a European flamed maple headplate and binding, and a unique maple back strip woven with pearl. The tuners are Schaller Gold GrandTune® open gear, and the label is signed by Chris Martin and Harvey Leach. Martin is making only one of these rare beauties but will take special orders, so visit your authorized Martin dealer to get your hands on one.

DSS-2018

Each year Martin designs a new groundbreaking model known as the “show special” to help support 2018 trade shows, by making it available only to those Authorized Martin Dealers in attendance. The theme for 2018 is lightweight wood with a robust sound. The difference can not only be heard but also felt as you cradle and strum this featherweight acoustical innovation. Though large in size, the features that contribute to these tonal and weight benefits are a 2-way adjustable titanium truss rod, carbon fiber and titanium tuning gears, composite carbon fiber/VTS Adirondack bridgeplate and headplate, a carbon fiber ultra-thin pickguard, and Liquidmetal® pins that are disguised to look like bone. Liquidmetal® pins have been proven to increase sustain, harmonics, and volume output by several decibels, adding to the allure of this physics experiment. Mahogany and Adirondack spruce were chosen as the tonewoods for this slope-shoulder Dreadnought, along with flamed maple binding, for lightness and rich tone. While the elements of titanium and carbon fiber reduce weight and increase the natural sustain and harmonics of the DSS-2018, the high performance neck with ebony fingerboard is adorned with grained ivoroid snowflake inlay for a touch of elegance.

Press Release

Martin Guitar Authentic Series and FSC Certified New for 2018

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00-17_Authentic 1931

OME-Cherry

D-42-Purple-Martin

CMD-45-Fire-and-Ice

DSS-2018

Martin Guitar Introduced Reimagined
Standard Series Guitars

Martin Guitar introduced their reimagined Standard Series guitars at Winter NAMM in Anaheim, California. Collectively, this was the most significant update to the company’s flagship line of guitars in its 185-year history.

The guitars in Martin’s reimagined Standard Series, from styles 28 to 45, have been the guitars of choice for famous players such as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Hank Williams, Joni Mitchell, Kurt Cobain, Beck, Eric Clapton, and countless others. They’ve been woven into the very fabric of our history for generations and across all genres of pop culture, and continue to inspire musicians worldwide.

“I challenged my coworkers to help me with the significant task of modernizing guitars whose origins go back to the 1930s (and earlier),” said Chris Martin. “As you might imagine, the discussions were quite animated. Fortunately, we all knew we were working toward a common goal: How can we modernize traditional Martin Guitar models while continuing to honor our rich history and heritage? Well, together we met that challenge head-on, and the results far exceeded my expectations.”

“Changing this many models that are so iconic to the company and music industry all at once was a real challenge,” says Fred Greene, Martin’s Senior Director of Product Management. “But our team did an incredible job in choosing appointments and improvements that make these instruments even better.”

The most notable updates to the line include the addition of a modern high performance neck that is thinner and more comfortable for the player, and vintage appointments, including aging toner and open-gear tuners. There have been changes to internal features as well that include scalloped and forward-shifted top bracing, depending on the style. The bottom line? When you put all of the changes together, the result is a Martin Standard Series line that looks, plays, and sounds better than ever before.

Martin Guitar Debuted
Three New X Series Dreadnought Guitars,
Along with New Premium
Classical and Ukulele Strings

Martin Guitar debuted three new X Series guitars at Winter NAMM in Anaheim, California. The new models included the DX1AE Macassar Burst, the DX2MAE, and the DX420. The company, also known for producing high-quality guitar strings since 1970, introduced a line of premium classical guitar strings, called Magnifico™, and a line of premium ukulele strings. Both premium string offerings were developed exclusively with Aquila and are made with proprietary materials that offer precise intonation, superior tone, and exceptional balance and projection. In addition to the new premium offerings, Martin will continue to produce their standard classical and ukulele strings.

Solid Sitka spruce set off by a vintage sunburst finish for a look bold enough to match the timeless sound of X-bracing and the body shape that started it all: the Dreadnought. Versatile and responsive Fishman® Sonitone electronics are discreet, so you can shape your sound anywhere, anytime.

DX2MAE

Designed for those who have fallen in love with the look of Martin’s 15 and 17 Series solid mahogany guitars, this full-sized Dreadnought version of Martin’s recent 0XMAE features mahogany high-pressure laminate (HPL) top, back and sides, a herringbone applied rosette, a high performance neck, and a Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)-certified Richlite® fingerboard and bridge. This warm, projective X Series guitar is stage and studio ready with Fishman® Sonitone electronics and built for strength to endure endless miles on the road.

DX420

This X Series version of Martin’s acclaimed D-420 model from 2017 features a custom printed illustration by visual artist Robert Goetzl. This full-sized Dreadnought features an HPL printed top, mahogany printed high-pressure laminate back and sides, a high performance neck taper for easy play, and an FSC®-certified Richlite® fingerboard and bridge. With warm bass and crisp highs, this great sounding, unique looking art guitar rings true to our ever-evolving country and culture.

Martin’s premium classical strings are tonally superior to nylon and the proprietary synthetic material emulates gut strings that have been around for centuries. Magnifico™ strings, developed exclusively with Aquila, offer precise intonation and exceptional tuning stability. Unlike Martin’s standard classical strings, which have a ball-end, Magnifico™ classical strings will be offered only with the traditional tie-end. The premium line will debut with two models: Hard Tension (M165) and Normal Tension (M265). All Nazareth-made nylon guitars and custom produced nylon guitars will be strung with Martin’s Magnifico™ premium classical strings. For more information about Magnifico™ strings, please visit www.martinguitar.com/strings.

UKULELE STRINGS

Martin Premium Ukulele Strings

Martin is known for making exceptional ukuleles for over 100 years, and now the company is proud to unveil a premium line of ukulele strings at Winter NAMM 2018. Developed exclusively with Aquila, the new strings provide precise intonation and clear, balanced tone with exceptional sustain and projection. Martin’s premium ukulele string line will be launched with three models to suit every ukulele enthusiast: Soprano (M605), Concert (M610), and Tenor (M625). All Nazareth-made ukuleles will be strung with Martin’s premium ukulele strings. For more information, please visit www.martinguitar.com/strings.

Martin Guitar unveiled the D-45 John Mayer Custom Signature Edition at Winter NAMM in Anaheim, California on January 25, 2018. The model honors both the artist and one of Martin’s most prestigious models, the D-45. The model will be limited to just 45 guitars.

Mayer’s collaborative relationship with Martin Guitar goes all the way back to 2003 with the release of his first signature edition, the OM-28 John Mayer, followed by the OMJM John Mayer (a staple in Martin’s guitar line), the 00-45SC John Mayer, and the 00-42SC John Mayer.

The D-45 John Mayer is crafted with Guatemalan rosewood back and sides and an Engelmann spruce top with aging toner and forward shifted Adirondack X braces. This tonal masterpiece was designed by John Mayer and created by the master craftspeople in the Martin Custom Shop. Boasting a full thickness neck with hexagon inlays, bone nut and saddle, and gold open gear tuners, the D-45 John Mayer also features an interior label personally signed by the seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be John’s acoustic guitar of choice for nearly 20 years,” said Chris Thomas, Martin’s Director of Marketing. “As in the past, John remained very involved with the design and creation of this guitar, his fifth collaboration with Martin. The D-45 John Mayer is the largest in John’s collection of Custom Signature guitars, and is sure to be a hit. Considering the robust sound and level of appointments on this instrument, along with the limited run signed by John, I expect them to be completely spoken for before the close of the NAMM Show in January. The D-45 John Mayer model is exquisite, a very special guitar indeed. John is a songwriting, guitar-playing icon around the globe. It warms our hearts to know that we have been, in any way, a means by which his inspiration becomes a song.”

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